Monday, May 20: Dr. Mastermind, “Domination”
Deen Castronovo’s frantic drumming on Dr. Mastermind’s self-titled debut was likely the calling card that landed him more than a few subsequent gigs (Dr. Mastermind was released by Shrapnel back when the label was basically a referral service and farm team for metal-minded musicians), but none of his later work would have anything resembling the breakneck pace and over-the-top intensity of “Domination”. Dr. Mastermind was primarily driven by bassist and frontman Matt McCourt, but the entire enterprise was basically an attempt for everyone to play as fast and as loud as was physically possible, and while they were likely aiming at a modern, American version of Motӧrhead, the result was more like an across the pond version of Warfare, though admittedly less punk and more traditionally metallic. “Domination” was fairly ridiculous and insane, even for 1986, but nobody could dispute the chops on display, though some might’ve preferred them being put to better use. Still, songs like this could only exist within a certain time and place, and the track encapsulated this particular era of shredding fairly well.
